Development of a Multi-skilled Craftsman Program Through Collaboration Between Industry, Technical Community College, and Four-year University
- Conference
- Location
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Salt Lake City, Utah
- Publication Date
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June 23, 2018
- Start Date
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June 23, 2018
- End Date
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July 27, 2018
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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College Industry Partnerships
- Page Count
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12
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--30323
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/30323
- Download Count
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525
Paper Authors
Ali Ahmad Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana
Ali Ahmad is the Director of Operations at the Manufacturing Partnership of Louisiana. Previously, he was an associate professor and head of the Engineering Technology Department at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. He received a B.Sc. degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Jordan (Amman, Jordan; with Highest Distinction) and a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida (Orlando, Fl, USA). He has diverse expertise in human-computer interaction, quality engineering, and simulating human-machine systems. He previously worked on projects related to transfer of training in advanced human-machine systems, usability evaluation of everyday products and services, and research in multimodal systems and virtual environments. His current research interests include virtual reality applications in manufacturing, multimodal interaction design, audio interfaces, advanced usability evaluation techniques, simulating complex human-machine systems, and advanced application of statistical techniques. Dr. Ahmad is a Certified Simulation Analyst and a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
Mike Wolff Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana
Mike is Director for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana. He worked in the forest products industry and business development in various manufacturing, public policy and consulting roles.
Mike’s previous involvements include past chair of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, past chair of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and past commissioner with the Louisiana Forestry Commission.
Mike holds a BS in Agricultural Engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Tulane University.
Abstract
Engineering Technology curriculum generally provides wide spread knowledge in problem solving, management of resources, and process planning. An Industry Advisory Council for a university in Louisiana expressed the need for multi-skilled craftsman trained graduates, and worked with Engineering Technology faculty to develop an associate of science degree program, in collaboration with a local technical community college, that is focused on advanced manufacturing.
This paper discusses the development of an industry-driven program on advanced manufacturing. The program is implemented as a collaborative offering by a university in Louisiana and a neighboring technical community college. The developed program combines the strengths of complementary offerings to prepare multiskilled craftsmen. The program is implemented in a work-study format, where students go to classes two days per week, and work three days per week at a manufacturing facility. The paper starts by identifying the need for multiskilled craftsman training. After that it discusses the key components for multiskilled craftsman preparation: Safety, basic electrical and mechanical maintenance, welding, and automation. These components led to putting together an 80-hour 2-year curriculum that enables graduates to obtain an associate of science degree in engineering technology along with a certificate as maintenance technician. The paper concludes by providing directions for future development of the new program.
Ahmad, A., & Wolff, M. (2018, June), Development of a Multi-skilled Craftsman Program Through Collaboration Between Industry, Technical Community College, and Four-year University Paper presented at 2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--30323
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